Brendon (Alluring Indulgence #8)(65)
Author: Nicole Edwards

“I knew it!” Zoey exclaimed. “She tried to tell me she’s never had to color her hair.”

The table erupted in laughter.

“Yes, well, that information doesn’t leave this table,” Chelsea added with a chuckle. “Anyway, since we both went to cosmetology school, we figured we’d give it a go. And …” Chelsea glanced at Kylie. “Since we recently found out there’s a buildin’ that could possibly be available to us, we thought we’d do it.”

“That’s fantastic!” Jessie squealed.

“Does that mean you’re not gonna go back to work full-time?” Kennedy asked Kylie.

“Not for a bit,” Kylie replied. “I’m gonna keep my focus on Cheyenne’s place for now while I take care of Kate. I don’t want to give up my career aspirations yet, but for now, I’m kinda livin’ the dream so I’m hesitant.”

“No offense,” Kennedy added, her eyes glued to Kylie, “but I’m lovin’ my new office manager, and as long as you’re not gonna try to steal her back, I’ll support anything you do.”

More laughter echoed through the back of the bar. While the other women were talking about whether they would be willing to go to Chelsea and Reilly’s new salon, Cheyenne stole a peek at Brendon. Her heart turned over when she saw him looking back at her. When he winked, she was pretty sure her heart did a triple somersault.

Jessie leaned over and whispered, “I saw that. And for the record, I really am so happy for the two of you. Bren’s a good guy and he needs someone like you.”

“Someone like me?” Cheyenne didn’t understand.

“Yes, someone who will devote all her attention to him and him alone. I totally get the fact that you never wanted to be shared, but between you and me, I think Brendon needs that. He needs to know he’s number one in his woman’s heart.”

Cheyenne smiled. He certainly was number one in hers.

“What about you?” Reilly called out, pulling Cheyenne’s attention from Jessie.

“What about me what?” she asked.

“Would you consider bein’ our client? It might help boost business if we had someone famous.”

“Once it all dies down, you can count me in,” Cheyenne told her new friends. “I’d be more than happy to be your client.”

“Have you heard from Cooper and Dalton lately?” Zoey asked when the cheers died down.

“Not in a couple of weeks, no. As I mentioned, I’m layin’ low and I didn’t want to involve them in this mess.”

“Cooper? As in Cooper Krenshaw?” Reilly’s eyes were the size of plates.

“One and the same.”

“Okay, just for the record,” Reilly said seriously. “I’m twenty-four years old and my sister’s twenty-five. We aren’t usually quite this … excitable. Honestly.”

“Trust me, I’m quite used to it.”

Chelsea and Reilly briefly pretended to be serious, but when the others started laughing, they both gave up.

Good thing too, because from the sound of the chairs moving on the other side of the room, it looked like things were about to get pretty damn serious without their help.

chapter TWENTY

“Is that … ?” Braydon didn’t finish his sentence and when he trailed off, Brendon’s eyes darted over to the door. The two men who walked in, their astute gazes quickly assessing everything in the room within seconds, caused Brendon to instantly get to his feet. His brothers must have noticed his apprehension because they weren’t that far behind him, the sound of chairs scraping against hardwood replacing the drone of voices.

“Z? What the hell are you doin’ here?” Brendon questioned the big guy approaching the table.

A wicked smile formed on Z’s rugged features as he moved closer. “Good to see you, man,” Z greeted with a quick handshake. “Braydon, what’s up?”

“Not a helluva lot,” Braydon responded hesitantly.

“You might rethink that statement in a minute,” Z told him.

“How’d you know we were here?” Brendon hadn’t talked to Z since yesterday and the last he’d heard, they didn’t have any news.

“I’ve got my ways,” Z said, his dark brown—nearly black—eyes somber. Before Brendon could question him, another grin split Z’s face, followed by, “No, not really. I’m bullshittin’ you, bro. I saw those two girly trucks out front, knew you were both here.”

Laughter could be heard from the group and Brendon realized that every man who’d been sitting at the table now stood directly behind him, a human barricade between the newcomers and the women in the back. Even Mack had come to stand on the opposite side of the bar he normally inhabited.